Umpire Karate

[TxUmp]

This year's World Series umpires certainly have not improved the public's perception of umpires. They have blown several calls, made several glaring errors, used poor mechanics, and generally have not shown the excellence we would expect of umpires at the highest level. I can't comment on Culbreath's strike zone last night (seemed OK, but I couldn't stay up for the end), but I disticntly heard him call the location of several called balls - "Inside!" Since when is that an acceptable practice anywhere but in a pick-up game?

I am disappointed in the image these guys are presenting as supposedly the best umpires in the country.

[griff901c]

the reason your hearing the verbal is because the whole yard is wired for sound. He is not saying it as loud as you think ( or it seems).

Nothing wrong with a low verbal on close pitches. Happens all the time...


griff

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

This year's World Series umpires certainly have not improved the public's perception of umpires. They have blown several calls, made several glaring errors, used poor mechanics, and generally have not shown the excellence we would expect of umpires at the highest level. I can't comment on Culbreath's strike zone last night (seemed OK, but I couldn't stay up for the end), but I disticntly heard him call the location of several called balls - "Inside!" Since when is that an acceptable practice anywhere but in a pick-up game?

I am disappointed in the image these guys are presenting as supposedly the best umpires in the country.

The blown calls are unfortunate, but some of these mechanics are acceptable at the Major League level, like quietly giving the location of a close pitch. Like Griff said, you probably wouldn't be able to hear it in a regular season game.

[TxUmp]

So it is acceptable to give the location of the pitch - even if only the catcher and pitcher can hear it? I don't think so. What happens in this scenario?

The ump says "Ball, low". The manager asks his catcher where the pitch was. He says, "He said low". The manager who has a great view of vertical says " The pitch was not low!"

Much better to avoid the problem by NEVER calling the location of the pitch. If the catcher asks "Was that pitch low?", you just agree with him and go on.
You can get into a lot of arguments if you give routinely give the location of the pitch - and you gain NOTHING!

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

The manager asks his catcher where the pitch was. He says.......

If the manager is dumb enough to ask his catcher that question, and the catcher even dumber to answer, then you need to stop letting the battery know where the pitch missed.

Best not to start though. It just says you need to justify your judgment by an explanation.

[TxUmp]

And the battery doesn't know where the pitch was? All they need to know is that it was not in the strike zone. Giving them the location only gives them another reason to disagree (and argue) with you.

DON'T DO IT!!!!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

And the battery doesn't know where the pitch was? All they need to know is that it was not in the strike zone. Giving them the location only gives them another reason to disagree (and argue) with you.

DON'T DO IT!!!!

It is not something you want to do on every single ball call, but on inside and outside close calls it is acceptable. Argue balls and strikes with me and just see what happens next

[griff901c]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

It is not something you want to do on every single ball call, but on inside and outside close calls it is acceptable. Argue balls and strikes with me and just see what happens next

Exactly..borderline pitches..ok. Big deal if you say it's low..mgr wants to *****..it wasn't low...I'm with Steve..see ya

A good catcher will tell his pitcher...bring it up..or in...or whatever.

Now if your zone is all over the place.....be quiet...bear down..be consistant

griff